School Cell Phone Bans Becoming More Widespread

I recently read an article that said that over 30 states have now put into effect either a partial or a total (“bell-to-bell”) ban on student cell phones during school hours. And so far, not only are most of the teachers applauding this move, but so are many parents, and even some of the kids who are affected by it.

While the main complaint regarding these new policies focuses on the inconvenience to the students, the benefits seem to far outweigh the negatives. There are reports of students being more fully engaged in the classroom and even of a return to loud lunches, where the students actively interact with one another compared to the silent scrolling that used to take place in the cafeteria.

Educators are touting the benefits of a less tech-driven curriculum as well. One former educator, when appearing before Congress to discuss this issue, emphatically stated, “When tech enters education, learning goes down.”

Others talk about the detriment to social development that happens with heavy screen usage, and also about the negative effects on the mental health of the students. Cell phones for students in school just aren’t a good idea. One advocate for phone-free schools even declared, “Within the next decade, we’re going to look back and be shocked that we ever allowed smartphones in schools…they’re destroying kids’ ability to focus, their health, and their well-being.”

One of the many happy consequences of banning cell phones for students in school is that now students are reading more books. One school librarian noted that since the ban was put in place at their school, students checked out twice as many books in the first three-month period as they had done the entire previous year! She also noted that the kids are interacting more, talking to each other about the books they are reading.

I’m all for a ban on cell phones for students in schools. I know some parents will push back over the inconvenience of not being able to be in contact with their child at a moment’s notice, but I think the good far outweighs the bad. Let’s let the schools be able to educate our children without distraction or interruption. And, of course, I’m all for the benefit of kids reading more, especially if they choose to pick up one of my books.

Image by DanXaw from Pixabay